Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1887-03-12
A SWORD DUEL.
A Hard Fight for the Richest
Heiress in Virginia.
The Young Lady's Laughing Suggestion
Adopted By Her Two Lovers

In Virginia, has taken up her residence
IN this aristocratic old town." and con-
tlnues as follows: '.She is often seen
On the street with her husband, the
handsome young Irishman who won her
at the point of the sword, and the pair
are much admired. Their presence here
has set people to talking about the ia
nous sword contest in which Nevil
showed himself 70 be the finest fencer
in the South, and by which he won his
bride and great wealth. 1t occurred
some ten yea. ago. Mrs. Dulaney was
then the belle of this part Of Virginia.
Her father, Colonel Hal Dulaney, was
worth 5000, 900, and the daughter was
to inherit half Of the amount As she
was beautiful as we'll as wealthy, there
were many suitors for her hand. Among
them, the two most favored were young
Englishman named Randolph, who was
an officer in her Majesty's Household
Guards, and Henry NeviI, an Irishman
who had fought in the French and Aus
trian armies. Both were handsome,
manly fellows, though not burdened
with riches, and for time their chances
seemed about equal.
1t soon became evident that they hated
each other very cordially, and alltide
water Virginia eagerly awaited the re-
suit of the contest for Miss Dulaney's
smiles. AS both were very high tenn
| pered and familiar with the use of wea
pons, the lady had hard time to keep
them from venting their hatred in
bloody way. Still, with girls coquet-
ry, she led them on, showing no decided
preference for either, and sometimes ap-
pearing Indifferent to both. One evening
the three were in the drawingroom to-
gether. The rivals addressed each other
only when absolutely necessary, and then
with smothered anger in their tones.
Finally Miss Dulaney got tired of that
sort of thing. and said laughingly:
"Why don't you go out and have a
good fight, instead of snarling at each
other always2'
''We will do it." they exclaimed in
one breath. The lady continued the
conversation in bantering tone, not
dreaming that the men were in earnest.
Next day, however, she discovered that
they had actually adopted her laughing
suggestion.
When the rivals left the house they at
once arranged the preliminaries for a
duel. Ameeting place was selected just
off the Dulaney estate the time fixed
upon was the following morning at sun
rise, and swords were chosen as weapons.
At the time agreed upon they met, with
their seconds, and there ensued the
most bloody duel that has ever taken
place on Virginia soil. 1t was evident
from the beginning that Ncvil was the
more expert swordman on account of his
experience in the French army Ran
dolph handled the sword we'll, too, but
lacked the grace and facility of move
ment of his opponent. Moreover, the
Englishman was very much excited.
As they faced each other
they exchanged glances, which
meant plainly fight to the
death. Then they set to, Randolph
striking fercely and wildly at bis enemy
while the Irishman cody took the defence
parrying his blows with ease and await
ing his chance for thrust. 1t came a
last, and he neatly removed large piece
of Randolph's ear. The pain seemed t.
madden the Englishman, and he bor
down upon his enemy with indiscree
desperation. Nevil quietly got in anoth
. er strike, which mutlla,ed the English
; mans nose. The rest Of the fig t wa
Tough and tumble on Randolph's part
, while Nevil not for moment los, hi
presence OF mind. He finally disabled
the Englishnan by getting in thrust 0,
. his sword arm. He did this merely t
prevent downright murder, for he knes
he could take Randolph apart piece b.
piece without injury to himself, and h.
knew, too, Randolph would die rashe
, than yield as long as he could hold
sword.
Miss Dulaney was sorry for Randolph'
misfortune. but she smiled more tha
ever on Nevll whom, It turned out. sh
had loved all the time Three month
!. af,erward Randolph rose from his sic
bed disicured for life, lef, the counir
.. aud has not been heard from since
Abou. the same time New. and Miss D.
: laney were married.